Monday, February 20, 2012

Congratulations Rhonda!

by Megan @ www.thebyronlife.com

'I was pulled into simple living before I knew what it was. It crept up on me using the smallest of steps and didn't reveal its true beauty and real power until I was totally hooked. I was searching for a way to live well while spending very little money. What I found was a way of life that also gave me independence, opportunity and freedom.' ` Rhonda Hetzel, Down to Earth - a guide to simple living.

On the weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Rhonda Hetzel, the founder of this blog, and her husband, Hanno when they dropped into Byron Bay. Readers will be familiar with Rhonda and Hanno through Rhonda's blog, Down to Earth, one of my daily reads and constant inspirations.

I was lucky enough to meet Rhonda and Hanno as they embarked on an epic road trip to launch Rhonda's first book: Down to Earth, a guide to simple living. True to her values about reducing carbon emissions (and despite the fact her family thought she was crazy for doing so!), Rhonda decided to travel by car for the book launch tour rather than fly. It will slow the journey down, but that is a positive in Rhonda's eyes as it means that she and Hanno can visit a heap of country towns along the way, and meet readers of her blog who may not otherwise have the opportunity. It is one way of giving back to the readers who have supported her on her blogging journey all these years.

For those of you who haven't met this inspirational lady in person, can I just tell you she is the epitomy of her blog and book title: Down to Earth. Generous, friendly and no pretense whatsoever.

Rhonda, you should be so very, very proud of what you have achieved with your book - it is just stunning. I have spent the weekend poring over my review copy (I have some professional reviews to write) and I love it. This will be one to keep dipping into regularly for years to come as I continue my own journey in simplifying my own life.

The book takes the reader through the very basics of establishing a simpler, greener, less consumer driven lifestyle, whatever stage of life or skill set you are at. Rhonda will show you how to budget, how to cook from scratch, how to grow, store and preserve your own food as well as tips on recycling, re-using and mending and how to set up a sustainable home and backyard and much, much, more. Whatever stage you are at, from complete beginner to experienced self-sustaining homesteader, you will find much inspiration in this book.

Whether you want to learn how to grow tomatoes, bake bread, make your own soap and preserve fruit, or just be inspired to slow down and live more sustainably, Down to Earth will be your guide.

Rhonda told me on the weekend that as well as being a practical guide to simple living, she wanted the book to be beautiful as well - to match the everyday beauty she finds in this simple, green and frugal lifestyle. Well, Rhonda, you and your book designers at Penguin Books Australia have achieved that goal. The book design and photography are a delight; your writing style is, as always, fluid, gentle and accessible and the generations of wisdom you have managed to bundle up in that one book is exceptional.

Rhonda, from all of us here at the Simple Green Frugal Co-op I offer my hearty congratulations and wish you the best of times on your book launch road trip.